WOOD FAMILY FOUNDATION
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Mission Statement
The Wood Family Foundation (WFF) was co-founded by Sarah and Kerry Wood, retired Chicago Cubs pitcher, in 2011 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to serving Chicago students. Following a three-year pilot period, our Board of Directors and team determined we could drive even stronger student outcomes if we fully dedicated our resources to one high-touch mentoring model. As a result, our Pitch In program was launched in 2014 and is now WFF’s sole program. Pitch In is dedicated to ensuring that students from Chicago's Austin, Englewood, Humboldt Park, North Lawndale, and Roseland neighborhoods transition from middle to high school with the skills, mindsets, and agency to succeed. All of our programs and activities are based on the belief that a child’s potential should never be underestimated and that building long-standing relationships with children and their families are the best way to nurture that potential. That’s why the Wood Family Foundation prides itself on providing support, not just on a one-time basis, but through long-term relationships with kids and their communities, ensuring the consistency and emotional structure they need to succeed.
About This Cause
Pitch In partners with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) elementary schools to boost student outcomes in 4th-8th grade, and we are committed to improving the culture and support systems surrounding the middle school space district-wide. Through all five years of Pitch In, we add school-day capacity and enhance overall school effectiveness, in partnership with school leaders. We then offer an after-school program, during which students meet weekly in cohorts to engage in our social-emotional learning curriculum and enrichment opportunities, all supported by consistent adult mentors, full-time staff, and peers. As a result of Pitch In, students increase their on-track rates, broaden their worldviews, and prepare for high school, all while accessing an abundance of resources, including field trips, exposure to guest speakers, and career exploration opportunities. Ultimately, Pitch In helps students develop the skills and mindsets necessary to succeed in high school and far beyond.